The music world is filled with artists so prolific that it’s almost impossible to keep up with everything they do. But many of these same artists are either so experimental or so inconsistent that it’s almost impossible to know which albums to dive into and which to skip.
Plumbing the depth of their discographies to know which releases are worthwhile and which aren’t worth the time is such an ordeal that you might as well explore in the inside of a black hole instead.
But I’ve been down a few black holes myself, and I have lived to tell the tale. And today, I’ve come to give you some pointers on what discographies are worth plumbing and which are not.
Mogwai
The Scottish post rock outfit is often credited with forging the guitar-centric, climax-chasing, dramatic instrumental music that we call post rock. If you look at any Pitchfork review of a post rock album in the early 2000s, there’s a good chance that they would have written it off as a Mogwai rip off and given it a 5.0 out of 10.
Since their debut record in 1997, they’ve explored far and wide, dabbling with elements of metal, chamber pop, and electronica.
But getting into Mogwai is its own beast. As of this article, they have released nine full lengths, six film soundtracks, and thirteen EPs. While they’ve constantly evolved their sonic palette, they’ve maintained a surprising amount of consistency.
Where To Start
Most people would recommend that you start with Young Team, their pioneering debut. But to be honest, it’s a little dated, and at times abrasive.
For the clearest summation of what Mogwai has to offer, listen to 2011’s Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will. It has plenty of that classic Mogwai sound while showcasing enough of their Krautrock and EDM experimentation to be a perfect amuse bouche for the rest of their catalog.
What To Avoid
I’ve never heard a Mogwai album I didn’t like. That said, there a few remix EPs that don’t deliver any of the things I want when I listen to Mogwai.
Is It Worth Going Deeper?
Absolutely. Their records may not be too entirely different between releases, but every album is rewarding.
Sonic Youth
This groundbreaking NYC outfit is the absolute definition of a black hole band. From their formation in 1981 to their hiatus in 2011, the group churned out experimental, noisy indie rock like they were working for piece rate at a factory.
In their thirty-year career, they released sixteen studio albums, eight EPs, six video albums, and a separate eight-part experimental series. And that doesn’t include the solo albums and side projects of every single member.
If you do any sort of reading into rock and roll history, Sonic Youth’s name is unavoidable. But jumping in cold is a dangerous task.
Where to Start
Their 1988 release Daydream Nation is widely regarded to be their masterpiece, melding their amp-splitting noise with pop songwriting. However, it’s still a bit overwhelming. For a more digestible, more accessible record that doesn’t skimp on the experimentation, listen to 2002’s Murray Street
What To Avoid
Naturally, across all of those releases, Sonic Youth missed the mark a few times. While most of their studio records are safe, avoid NYC Ghosts and Flowers, which was written after all of their custom equipment was stolen.
Similarly, the SYR (Sonic Youth Recordings) series all veer toward the experimental and improvisational. There might be some gold to glean there, but for the most part it’s pretty nonrepresentative.
Is It Worth Going Deeper?
For the most part, yes. The stretch of studio records between Daydream Nation and A Thousand Leaves is absolutely brilliant.
Boris
This Japanese trio named themselves after a Melvins song, so it’s not surprising that they have an affinity for slow, droning metal. But since debuting in 1995, they have released twenty-five studio albums, which have run the gamut from frantic garage rock to crushing post metal to hazy shoegaze to glistening pop.
They’ve also released several collaboration albums with different artists such as Merzbow and Sunn O))).
Obviously, no one expects anyone to listen to every Boris record. In fact, I’m writing this list, and I’ve only spent significant time with five.
Where to Start
Where to start with Boris all depends on what you want from them.
If you dig dirty garage rock and punk, their 2005 triple LP Pink is a great place to start. If you’re more into drone metal, their sophomore record Amplifier Worship will scratch that itch. If you like Japanese pop, the brilliant New Album will keep you smiling and satisfied.
However, for a more balanced mix of everything that makes Boris Boris, 2014’s Noise is a great sample platter.
What To Avoid
I’ve yet to come across any Boris release that is actually bad, so there’s not really anything to specifically avoid.
Though, take a look at the album covers before you listen to an album. Typically, the heavier, more experimental records will spell the name in all caps while more poppy records will use conventional capitalization.
Is It Worth Going Deeper?
Absolutely. Boris has one of the richest discographies of any act ever.
Neurosis
You cannot read any review of a post metal band without hearing the name Neurosis come up. They are constantly credited with pioneering the genre, alongside Cult of Luna and Isis.
But before that, they cut their teeth playing hardcore, then industrial metal. And if you want to listen to Neurosis because you love Pelican or Russian Circles, blindly choosing an album is a huge mistake.
Since 1987, they’ve released eleven full-length records, shifting their palette through each release.
Where to Start
By and large, most critics hold up their 1996 record Through Silver And Blood as their creative peak. Some go as far as to say it’s the album that started post metal.
But personally, I can’t stand it. It’s far gloomier and industrial than I can get into. It offers nothing to scratch the same itch as Isis or Cult of Luna.
On the other hand, The Eye Of Every Storm showcases all of the elements that makes a great post metal record—atmospheric guitars, extended song structures, and crushing climaxes.
What To Avoid
Honestly, I can’t get into any of their early hardcore stuff at all. Might be your bag, but it’s not what I want from a band billed as the founders of post metal.
Is It Worth Going Deeper?
Honestly, I have not found my journeys into Neurosis’ catalog to be very rewarding. Outside of The Eye Of Every Storm, I’m iffy on everything. And believe me—I’ve tried.
The Beach Boys
It’s the classic story: vocal quintet gets huge singing surf rock songs, main songwriter quits touring to write a chamber pop masterpiece, songwriter suffers a nervous wreck trying to top it, the band keeps carrying on.
I used to think that outside of Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys were mostly forgettable. After all, Mike Love is the quintessential cheap-hit writer, and under his direction the group wrote “Kokomo,” which is one of the worst songs to ever hit the Billboard charts.
But across twenty-nine studio records in over fifty years, there’s a lot of gold to be found there.
Where to Start
Obviously, if you haven’t heard Pet Sounds, start there. It’s miles beyond the early surf rock their best known for, and overshadows everything they made after it. It is an absolutely perfect record that artists all over the world have tried to recapture for decades.
What To Avoid
By and large, anything after Smiley Smile is pretty offensive, considering the same group created the greatest pop record ever written. If anything lists Mike Love as the principal songwriter, run for the hills.
Is It Worth Going Deeper?
Nothing else approaches Pet Sounds, but if you need more, listen to Beach Boys Today!, Smiley Smile, and Surf’s Up. And, make sure that you don’t miss the 2011 SMiLE, assembled from the same tapes recorded during the 1968 sessions.
The Ramones
The godfathers of punk got famous playing fast, power-chorded rock songs that prioritized attitude over technical prowess. And they never really changed the formula after that.
Across fourteen studio albums—which culled a staggering 71 singles—the Ramones never strayed far from writing blistering, four-chord wonders.
Where to Start
The Ramones 1976 self-titled debut offers everything you can possible ask for from the Ramones. “Blitzkrieg Bop” is here, as are “Sheena is a Punk,” “I Wanna Be Sedated,” and “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.” This is required listening.
What To Avoid
By the mid 80s, punk had evolved, even if the Ramones did not. 1989’s Brain Drain in particular is just that, but most of the work around it isn’t great either.
Is It Worth Going Deeper?
With the exception of a few other essential early releases, the Ramones are a great case of the law of diminishing returns. Their records are consistent, but that consistency doesn’t always make for a rewarding listening experience. Most of what the Ramones do well is summed up on their debut.
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